Woman killed in U.S. 160 crash

A Bayfield resident was killed after she was ejected from her vehicle Wednesday afternoon.

Paula Lettera, 68, was traveling eastbound on U.S. Highway 160 about 15 miles west of Pagosa Springs when she lost control of her 2005 Jeep Liberty for an unknown reason.

Lettera ran off the right side of the highway before coming back on the road. She was ejected after she swerved and the vehicle rolled, said Martin Petrik, commander of the Colorado State Patrol in Durango.

Lettera was not wearing a seat belt. Officials believe she would have suffered injuries but lived had she been wearing her seat belt, Petrik said.

The crash occurred at 4:12 p.m. and closed Highway 160 for about 2 hours and 15 minutes while officials moved the vehicle from the road, Petrik said.